Updated 17 October 2026
Entrance Exam Calendar 2026–27: RIMC, Sainik, RMS, JNV, NDA and CDS
A good entrance year is planned backwards from the exam date. This page puts every major defence-school and defence-officer entrance exam in one place, with the dates announced so far for the 2026–27 cycle, and shows how our batches at Atulya Defence Academy, Ambala Cantt, follow that calendar.
Dates below are from official notices and public reports available in October 2026. Always confirm on the official website (NTA, NVS or UPSC) before you apply.
2026–27 Exam Dates at a Glance
| Exam | Admission to | Conducted by | Applications | Exam date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNVST 2027 | Class 6, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas | NVS | Closed on 7 Aug 2026 (extended date) | 28 Nov 2026 | Applications closed |
| RIMC (December 2026) | Class 8, RIMC Dehradun | NTA | Closed on 30 Sep 2026 (late window till 7 Oct) | 6 Dec 2026 (written); viva voce around April 2027 | Applications closed |
| RMS CET 2026 | Classes 6 and 9, five Rashtriya Military Schools | NTA | Open till 20 Oct 2026, 5 pm | 13 Dec 2026 | Apply now |
| AISSEE 2027 | Classes 6 and 9, Sainik Schools | NTA | Expected October–November 2026 | Expected January 2027 | Awaiting notice |
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 | National Defence Academy, after Class 12 | UPSC | Notification on 2 Dec 2026 | 11 Apr 2027 | Upcoming |
| CDS (I) 2027 | IMA, INA, AFA and OTA, for graduates | UPSC | Notification on 2 Dec 2026 | 11 Apr 2027 | Upcoming |
| NDA (II) and CDS (II) 2027 | Second cycle of the year | UPSC | Notification on 12 May 2027 | 19 Sep 2027 | Upcoming |
Who Can Apply: Age and Class
RIMC Dehradun
Studying in or passed Class 7. Age 12½ to 14 years on 1 July 2027, which means born between 2 July 2013 and 1 January 2015.
RMS CET
Class 6: age 10 to 13 on 31 March 2027. Class 9: age 13 to 16 on 31 March 2027.
JNVST Class 6
Studying in Class 5 in 2026–27 in the same district, born between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2017. A student can appear only once.
Sainik School (AISSEE)
Class 6: 10 to 12 years. Class 9: 13 to 15 years. The exact cut-off date comes in the NTA notification. Girls can apply for Class 6.
NDA
Class 12 passed or appearing, within the age band given in the UPSC notice.
CDS
Graduates or final-year students, as per the eligibility for each academy.
How Our Batches Follow This Calendar
We do not run one batch for everything. Each group works backwards from its own exam date.
- April onwards
Foundation batches
Start with the new session for Class 4–5 (JNV, Sainik and RMS Class 6) and Class 7–8 (RIMC, Sainik and RMS Class 9). The full syllabus is covered by October.
- From September
Mock test season
Weekly full-length papers on OMR sheets, in exam timing. See our mock test schedule.
- 8–10 weeks before each exam
Revision and crash courses
October–November for JNVST, November for RIMC and RMS CET, December–January for AISSEE.
- January – April
Interview and viva practice
For RIMC candidates who clear the written test, and personality work for Sainik School and RMS students.
- Class 11 – 12
NDA foundation
NDA maths and GAT alongside CBSE, then SSB guidance after the written result.
Exact batch start dates and timings are shared at counselling. Call 98121-97229 to know the next batch.
Month-by-Month Checklist (October 2026 – April 2027)
- October 2026
- Submit the RMS CET form before 20 October. Watch for the AISSEE 2027 notification.
- November 2026
- JNVST on 28 November. Download admit cards for RIMC and RMS CET when released.
- December 2026
- RIMC written exam on 6 December and RMS CET on 13 December. NDA and CDS (I) 2027 notification on 2 December.
- January 2027
- AISSEE (expected). Start RIMC viva preparation while results are awaited.
- February – March 2027
- Results season for JNVST, RMS CET and AISSEE. Keep documents ready for counselling.
- April 2027
- NDA and CDS (I) on 11 April. RIMC viva voce around this time. New foundation batches begin.
Entrance Calendar FAQs
When is the RIMC entrance exam in December 2026?
The written exam is on 6 December 2026, conducted by NTA. The viva voce is expected around April 2027.
What is the last date to apply for RMS CET 2026?
20 October 2026, up to 5 pm, on the NTA website. The exam is on 13 December 2026.
When is JNVST 2027 for Class 6?
28 November 2026. Applications have already closed.
When will the Sainik School exam (AISSEE 2027) be held?
NTA has not announced it yet. Based on past years, the application is expected in October–November 2026 and the exam in January 2027.
What is the NDA 1 2027 exam date?
UPSC has fixed 11 April 2027 for NDA & NA (I) and CDS (I). The notification is due on 2 December 2026.
When should preparation start for these exams?
Ideally one full year before the exam. For Class 6 entrances, start in Class 4 or early Class 5. For RIMC, start in Class 6 or early Class 7.
Can one student prepare for more than one exam?
Yes, and many do. JNVST, RMS CET and AISSEE for Class 6 share most of their syllabus, so one preparation covers all three.
Where do we apply for these exams?
RIMC, RMS CET and AISSEE on the NTA exam portal, JNVST on the NVS portal, and NDA and CDS on the UPSC website.
What is the age limit for RIMC 2027?
12½ to 14 years on 1 July 2027, so the child must be born between 2 July 2013 and 1 January 2015.
Does Atulya help with forms and documents?
Yes. Our team guides parents on which forms to fill, the documents needed and the deadlines, so nothing is missed.
Not Sure Which Exam to Target?
Share your child’s class and date of birth. We will tell you which exams they are eligible for this year and which batch fits.